Lionel Messi has left football fans shocked after announcing his retirement from international football in the wake of Argentina’s penalty shoot-out defeat against Chile in the Copa America final.
Argentina were held to a 0-0 draw in the final for the second consecutive year against Chile and once more fell to penalty shoot-out heartache meaning La Albiceleste have now lost in a final in each of the last three years.
There has been immense pressure on Messi to deliver on the international stage and he has often been made the scapegoat for their failures as they search for their first major tournament success since the 1986 World Cup.
Messi, 29, became Argentina’s all-time record goalscorer (55) earlier in the Copa America this summer, overtaking Gabriel Batistuta (54) with a sublime free-kick against USA in the semi-final.
However, the Barcelona superstar was unable to fire Argentina to the title in Monday’s final and wasted no time in announcing his international retirement, although many feel it was a heat of the moment decision and he will reverse his decision to lead his country in the 2018 World Cup.
“For me the national team is over. I’ve done all I can, it hurts not to be a champion,” Messi is quoted as saying by Sky Sports after the defeat. “It’s been four finals, it’s not meant for me. I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over.”
Messi played a direct hand in at least two more goals than any other player in the Copa America (9 – five goals, four assists).
For more stats on Lionel Messi, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
